Kabu Kabu

Kabu, Kabu is a series of short stories by one of my favorite authors. Ms Okorafor has written a series of loosely (and a few clearly connected) stories that are sometimes supernatural and sometimes science fiction driven infused with Nigerian mythology. My favorite is definitely Kabu Kabu. I pictured myself huddling in my seat in sympathetic fear and uncertainty. As I read through the stories I could smell the heat beating against my body, feel the dust grinding into my body and taste the deep, rich spiciness of the food - that's how good a writer Ms. Okorafor is.

Thanks to Ms. Okorafor for sharing these. As a lifelong student of the human condition, I am always struck by tidbits of common sense that other cultures can teach that I, whether I missed the lesson the day it was taught or was never taught it at all in my own. In this group of stories I found humor, drama, surprise, and shrewd wisdom. As is said, you are never the same person going home as you were when started the journey.

I adore Nnedi Okorafor. The stories she weaves entertain, provoke, and tease. I've devoured everything she's written since I stumbled across Akata Witch, and this collection of short stories feels like a mixed box of chocolates: different flavors that contrast with and enhance each other while they all deftly satisfy that sweet tooth that's been aching in the back of your head. A beautiful must-read for anyone who would enjoy being immersed in the stories of the peoples who first filled the Cradle of Humanity... for anyone who is uplifted by strong women embracing the bittersweetness of their strength... for anyone who feels even a sliver of the magic in the world that we all secretly wish to tap.I knew next to nothing about West African culture, mythology, history, or religion before I discovered this author, and I'm humbled and intrigued and fascinated by the amount I've LEARNED from her. Read this book. Thank Nnedi Okorafor later.

I like them all. I don't think Nnedi Okorafor could write a bad story. (If she did it would be 'the best bad story.' Okay, I know that doesn't make sense.)My favorites include: 'Kabu Kabu,' 'How Inyang Got Her Wings,' 'The Winds of Harmattan,' 'On the Road,' Spider the Artist,' 'The Palm Tree Bandit,' and 'The Black Stain.'

Overall, a great collection of stories. I love Okorafor's ideas, imagery, and writing style. I love the mix of magical realism, straight out fantasy, and Afro-futurism the collection illustrates. My favorite stories are "Kabu Kabu," "The Carpet," and "Spider the Artist," but all of the stories are solid. I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because several of the stories are set in Okorafor's other series, so they're hard to read without the backstory. However, it did make me want to read her other series, so I suppose that's good for the author!

I am a fan of this author and have devoured her works with great relish. She has a very charismatic charm to her works and I have over every single book. This one is no exception. I am not normally a fan of.short stories, but Nnedi Okorafor !manages to make the stories have a very well-written depth.Read this and all of her books. She doesn't disappoint, that's why she wins so many prestigious awards and accolades from her many fans- such as I.As Always, I Wish Happy Reads to All from the Unapologetic Book Junkie 😉!

I'll admit I was leery about reading this. It was assigned reading for my Sci-fi class and I don't usually take to required reading well but I should be thanking the teacher for introducing me to this out-of-this-world, insanely awesome book."Spider the artist" blew me away and words cannot describe how much I enjoyed this story. "On the road" was equally fabulous, as was "Kabu Kabu", the story this collection was named for.Do yourself a favor, if you like sci-if you must read this book!

I loved reading this compilation of short stories! I'm so happy to have found out about this author! As far as the stories in the book go; I found The Magical Negro to be hilarious and I loved all the stories from How Inyang Got Her Wings to The Palm Tree Bandit.

I would recommend any of the stories written by Nnedi Okorafor. Her stories are so deeply imaginative and magical. As an adult reader I am not embarassed to admit to reading the children's stories! I loved this book of short stories as it means more to read but I always want to read more. I like the way the stories link up which really tickles at my thought processes and challenges my memories of the stories I have already read. Fantastic writer, one of my top favourite writers. I look forward to the next publication and more science fiction stories!

Nnedi Okorafor's story collection KABU KABU, published in 2013, provides the reader with a fascinating glimpse into the author's rich imagination, vibrant language and captivating scenarios. Created at different stages in her extensive writing career, Okorafor treats us to a range of intriguing characters and their adventures, skilfully (and successfully) combining elements of speculative fiction and fantasy with African folklore and magical realism, and yes, indeed, political and social present day issues. Many of her stories have been nominated, shortlisted and/or have won literary recognition and awards as have her novels.Born in the US of Nigerian parents, Nnedi Okorafor developed strong ties to her parents' home country since her childhood. Not surprisingly, her stories here are set in Nigeria - the real and the imagined society. In fact, Okorafor is a convincing advocate for an African science fiction kind of storytelling. It opens, among others, new avenues for creating future realities.Admittedly, I am not usually a great fan of speculative fiction, yet, Okorafor has captured my attention and imagination, from the first story to the last - all twenty one of them. I particular enjoyed the character of Arro-yo, the "windseeker", who appears in several somewhat linked stories. Arro-yo is an outcast in her community because she can capture the wind and fly. Okorafor expands with her stories on African folklore that singled out girls born with "locked hair" and who had special powers. They could bring misery and misfortune to their home and were therefore chased away. Arro-yo's adventures in Okorafor's stories are nonetheless anchored very much in reality, whether she is caught up in civil unrest or fears for her life for other reasons.The title story, KABU KABU - the name for an unlicensed taxi - sets the reader up for a roller coaster of a ride. The protagonist, a young woman living in Chicago, needs to catch a plane to return to Nigeria for a wedding... a hilarious escapade and a great opening story for the adventures that follow in Africa... humorous at times, serious at others, yet always engaging and thought provoking. It would take too long to introduce other stories... just read them all. Whoopi Goldberg provides a motivating introduction to the book. [Friederike Knabe]

I love this book. It is unusual, original, and a great read. You can practically smell the tang of earth, village life and blood. When I've finished it, I intend to read Nnedi Okorafor's "Binti" series. Kudos!

21 Kurzgeschichten in denen Nnedi Okorafor gekonnt Eindrücke aus dem Leben in Nigeria und der Diaspora mit mehr oder weniger fantastischen Elementen, die unter anderem von Igbo-Folklore inspiriert sind, zusammenwebt. Ironischerweise schafft sie es trotz -und vielleicht gerade wegen - der mythologischen Figuren, der Magie ein authentischeres Bild vom Leben in Nigeria und seinen Menschen zu zeichnen als manch “realistischerer“ Autor. Und dabei sind ihre Geschichten auch noch herrlich unterhaltsam.